Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A mechanical device used for writing imitations of a personal signature.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A machine that automatically writes a person's signature.

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

auto- +‎ pen

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Examples

  • In case you are new to the ways of Washington, the autopen is a mechanical device that signs someone's name at the touch of a button.

    Slate Magazine Terry L. Turnipseed 2011

  • Obama auto-pens Patriot Act extension into law CBS/AP WASHINGTON - President Obama has taken advantage of a little-known and infrequently used device called an autopen to put his signature on legislation extending the government's post-Sept. 11 powers to search records and conduct roving wiretaps in pursuit of terrorists for anther four years.

    Breaking News: CBS News 2011

  • As I recall, Rummy found actually signing the letters that went to families of fallen soldiers too unimportant to actually take up his time, so he had them signed mechanically by an autopen.

    Rumsfeld says Obama made 'bald misstatement' 2009

  • We're guessing the president had the legislation signed by an autopen in international waters, just to spite everyone.

    HUFFPOST HILL - Congress Turns The Sky Into Milton Friedman's Playground Eliot Nelson 2011

  • With Obama currently in France, the White House said the president would use an autopen machine that holds a pen and signs his actual signature.

    Patriot Act provisions extended 2011

  • Just a get-well note some intern had produced and signed by autopen.

    O: A Presidential Novel Anonymous 2011

  • Just a get-well note some intern had produced and signed by autopen.

    O: A Presidential Novel Anonymous 2011

  • The extension of the Patriot Act was signed by an autopen, a machine that can mimic the President's signature, because Barack Obama was in Europe.

    Other Comments 2011

  • Just a get-well note some intern had produced and signed by autopen.

    O: A Presidential Novel Anonymous 2011

  • President Obama, who is in Europe, authorized the bill to be signed by an autopen, a machine that holds a pen and signs his signature.

    Obama Signs Patriot Act Extension 2011

Comments

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  • auto pen for mechanical signatures

    August 7, 2010